Why is Our Principal Riding a Snail? 🐌

I am still beaming with pride thinking about how inspirational our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students were with their Costume Party skits. All of the students helped turn our school into a magical and slightly silly wonderland!

And speaking of silly... yes, I, the principal, rode an inflatable snail. 🐌 You might ask, “Did she lose a race with a turtle? Is this how she gets to work every day?” Great questions. But for Arborland’s Costume Party, Speedy the Snail (and my green polo shirt), were more than just a squishy costume—they were a symbol of our mission at Arborland, “Grow with wonder, Lead with Purpose” (and yes, every Staff wore the polo shirt as well.)

Let me explain.

Snails are slow. They don’t rush. They take their time. They notice the little things, like sparkly rocks and the little ants having a parade. They move slowly—but they move with wonder and purpose. And that’s what I want for each of the children.

🌟 Grow with Wonder means asking questions like:

• “Are snails born with shells?”

• “Why do leaves change color in the fall?”

• “Can I build a robot that will make my bed?”

  
  

It means being curious, being brave, and seeing the world like it’s one big treasure hunt. You don’t have to know all the answers—you just have to keep exploring.

And now, let’s talk about leading.

Snails may be slow, but they always know where they’re going. They leave a trail that allows other snails to follow them. They literally make their mark. And guess what? So can our children.

🌟 Lead with Purpose means:

• Helping a friend who’s feeling sad.

• Standing up when something’s unfair.

• Sharing your ideas—even the ones you think are silly!

  
  

Our children don’t have to be the loudest or the fastest to be a leader. Our children just have to care. Our children just have to try.

So while we had fun at our Costume Party, I hope the children would remember: like a snail, slow down so they can see the wonder in the world around them. And like a snail, they are leading in their own way and making their mark each and every day.

Now speaking of wonder, I hope you enjoyed learning about the characters and famous people who inspired our 4th, 5th and 6th grade students!  We will continue celebrating the magic of growing with wonder and leading with purpose at Arborland!

By Ms. Veronica Chen, Principal